The Submission For Write Off

While the state manager has the delegation to decide that an overpayment may be written off, the claims manager's main role in the process will be to provide a substantiating recommendation for write off.

The submission must clearly demonstrate how information provided by the debtor justifies the recommendation.  Part of the process should include initial discussion with the state manager about the case in question.  This is useful in assisting the state manager to understand the background to the case and will alleviate the need for later questioning of the recommendation.

A submission format is provided at Appendix 2.  It should be used for all write off recommendations.  Its use will ensure the following are clearly outlined:

• the background to the overpayment;

• all consultation undertaken with the debtor;

• outcomes of negotiations for recovery;

• what information was provided by the debtor supporting write off of the debt; and

• the recommendation, based on the necessary criteria, for write off of part, or all, of the debt.

The state manager will then make a decision one of three ways:

• reject the recommendation;

• return the submission to the claims manager, requesting that the recommendation be more clearly substantiated; or

• agree with the recommendation provided.